Commonwealth reactions to royal wedding

30 April 2011 Last updated at 14:38 GMT Hundreds of millions of people are said to have watched the marriage of Prince William and the newly anointed Duchess of Cambridge. But how did it go down in those Commonwealth countries?

With huge crowds lining the streets of London, and street parties across the UK, there was little doubt that much of the British public wanted to celebrate royal wedding day.

And with American news presenters swamping the streets around Westminster Abbey in the run up to the occasion, it came as little surprise to fine out the wedding was avidly watched in the US too.

But the British monarchy's influence stretches around the world. Prince William's grandmother is head of state of 16 Commonwealth countries.

So, were they watching as keenly as the British and Americans? Four correspondents from four very different corners of the world found out.

India's mixed response to the royal wedding was not surprising. Until about midday on Friday, most Indians appeared not be interested in the wedding. But as the day wore on and the news channels beamed wall-to-wall coverage, some - mostly homemakers glued to their TV sets on a working day afternoon - warmed to the occasion.

Anyone interested: India's enthusiasm was late in coming

Big - and wasteful - weddings have a constituency in India. The big-wedding film is a Bollywood staple.

Some of the Indian papers put the ceremony on their front pages on Saturday morning, with the popular picture of the royal kiss variously described as a "liplock" or a moment in which the "lips don't lie".

The mass circulation Times of India offered a considered take in its front-page headline: "A much needed-kiss of life in times of recession." It described the wedding as one of "carefully austere pomp" and even drew parallels between the event and Princess Elizabeth's wedding in 1947 after Britain had lost India.

"And the couple puckered up not once but twice on the Palace balcony, underlining the belief that in a time of economic doom and increasing geopolitical irrelevance, a wedding and the meeting of lips may be the kiss of life," the paper signed off with a flourish.

One top news TV anchor had a piece of advice to the royals. "Next time," he tweeted, "the British royals should outsource the wedding to us. They could do with a little bit of song and dance."

The time difference being what it was, many Canadians watched the pageantry from London in their pyjamas, although some brave souls still ventured out to public events and private get-togethers.

Small hours: On the west coast the ceremony started at 3am

On the west coast, the most time zone-challenged region of the country, hundreds of hardy enthusiasts put the British back into British Columbia by heading out to the posh Empress Hotel in the provincial capital Victoria, a city long associated with all things royal, to collectively enjoy the TV coverage.

But in the true spirit of Canadian egalitarianism, the style ranged from posh frocks and a sea of bobbing fascinators, to pink pyjamas and fuzzy slippers.

Similarly good-natured events were held at hotels, pubs and residences across the country. Royal revellers at an event in Edmonton were treated to a police pipe band and opera singers belting out both the Canadian and British national anthems. By contrast, the Duke of Kent pub in Toronto managed to lure in the bleary-eyed with merely the promise of a slap-up breakfast and the confident assertion that it was "as close as you can get without buying them a gift".

Others threw private or workplace bashes, often with the slightly irreverent atmosphere of an Oscar party.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among those viewing the event perched on a sofa in front of the telly, instead of from inside Westminster Abbey. He found himself having to turn down the planet's most sought-after invitation, to continue the more plodding task of campaigning in the country's election, with the vote just days away on Monday 2 May.

But the gushing media coverage may not have been an entirely accurate gauge of Canadian enthusiasm for the proceedings. Some surveys have suggested that there was more interest in the final days of the federal election than seeing William and Kate tying the knot.

The couple became engaged while on holiday in Kenya

Local TV stations in the country disrupted regular programming to broadcast the wedding between Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The fact that William became engaged to the then Kate Middleton here in Kenya, seven months ago, was not lost on Kenyans. This was a fact that came up many times when Kenyans were asked about the significance of this wedding.

It didn't stop there. A trip down memory lane to 1952 was quickly mentioned, when Princess Elizabeth who was visiting the country then, was informed of her father's death. This is the country where she became Queen.

Fast forward almost 60 years and Kenyans were keen to witness the wedding ceremony of another royal couple who will remember Kenya for playing a part in ushering them into the global limelight.

Kenya has a tiny but dedicated share of royal watchers and Friday was a day for them to come out of the closest.

Tourism officials had also milked the publicity that the engagement, and thus the marriage, has brought on Kenya. It was no coincidence that the first TV advert during a number of commercial breaks on the local channel was one selling the country as a destination for that romantic safari, where dreams can come true.

This is not a country that tends to stand on ceremony, and for many the royal wedding became an excuse for an irreverent night in the pub spent watching it all unfold on television - television coverage that on one network featured ribald commentary from Dame Edna Everage.

An irreverent take: Australians combined celebrations with normal Friday night fun

The fact that all but one of the networks screened the wedding is also worthy of note. Friday night is footy night, and the rugby league or Aussie rules is normally sacrosanct.

At the bar that I started out in, in Sydney, which was decorated with Union flags and portraits of the royal couple, a bride hurled bouquets of flowers into the air, and the women that caught them were rewarded with free glasses of champagne. Monarchists, republicans and celebrity-watchers all joined in the fun.

However, not everyone was watching. Many didn't give two hoots.

But the Australian hoopla surrounding the wedding served as a reminder that for all the ethnic and demographic changes that have overtaken this country over the past 50 years, along with its reorientation towards Asia, the historical and sentimental link with Britain remains one of the single biggest keys to understanding modern-day Australia.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Royal wedding: Official photographs

30 April 2011 Last updated at 15:02 GMT

Photos of William and Kate's wedding day

News photos from around the world this week

Crowds gather on the eve of the royal wedding

Powerful storms in southern states

Readers' pictures on the theme of concrete

Photos from around the world on 25 April

Easter Sunday around the world

Photos from around the world 21 April

A selection of his photographs

The last pictures taken in Libya

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Thousands celebrate royal wedding

29 April 2011 Last updated at 12:26 Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey Thousands of people across Northern Ireland are holding parties to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen made Prince William the Baron Carrickfergus ahead of the ceremony on Friday morning.

The barony of County Antrim's oldest town has been extinct since 1883.

Following their exchange of vows, the couple's main titles are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Thousands of people have greeted the happy couple as they passed through London on a horse-drawn carriage following their marriage.

Prince William, who is colonel of the Irish Guards, wore the regiment's red tunic during the ceremony.

Representing Northern Ireland at the service were the First Minister Peter Robinson and the assembly speaker William Hay.

Carrickfergus is on the north shore of Belfast Lough, about 10 miles from Belfast. Carrickfergus Castle dates from about 1180 and is one of the best preserved castles in Ireland.

The mayor of the town said he was delighted the prince had been given the title and that he hoped he would visit in the near future.

People across Northern Ireland are decorating their houses and streets with bunting and holding street parties to mark the occasion.

Hundreds of people are attending festivities in a number of towns and villages, including Belfast, Londonderry, Newtownards, and Templepatrick.

A number of well-wishers gathered in St Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry to watch the ceremony on a big screen.

A crowd of well-wishers gathered in the Fountain estate in Londonderry

Londonderry woman Maisie Crawford has decked out her home with union flags.

"Diana would be so proud of William today," she said.

"He's a great young man marrying a beautiful young girl."

Jacqueline Dorrian from Carrickfergus said she had decided to arrange a party a fortnight ago as a way to bring neighbours together.

"I went round the doors first to see who was interested and everybody said they were," she said.

"Everybody chipped in and everybody's come out to put up the bunting and do the face painting for the kids.

"It's good for the community and the whole area to get everyone together on a day like this."

Part of the bride's dress was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in County Monaghan in the 1820s.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Scots turn out for royal wedding

29 April 2011 Last updated at 13:33 St Andrews was hosting one of the biggest wedding celebrations in Scotland Events have been taking place across Scotland to celebrate the royal wedding.

St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met, hosted a breakfast and party for about 2,000 people.

Balmoral Castle visitors were watching the wedding on big screens.

However, a protest group of about 60 gathered in Edinburgh, and an unofficial party in Glasgow has been criticised by the local council.

In St Andrews, a bagpipe procession formally kicked off the event for ticket-holders at the free party at St Salvator's Quadrangle.

Local firms and organisations came forward over recent weeks and months to offer their support to the event, which was showing the wedding on a big screen.

John Montgomery, 44, from the Tayport area, came to St Andrews because his daughter was among those performing in the quadrangle, alongside her primary school classmates.

"I think St Andrews feels responsible for all of this," he joked. "The atmosphere's fantastic here. It's amazing really for a small Scottish town to have two billion people around the world watching it."

St Andrews student Ronnie Guthrie, 20, from Perth, arrived for the party at 0730 BST.

He told BBC Scotland: "I came to the party because I wanted to show off my Britishness. I have been awake since 5.30 with excitement, I just couldn't sleep.

"I didn't get a ticket in the ballot for the party, so I had to come two hours before my friends.

"I wanted to come because this is the biggest thing in my life, until the next coronation. It feels great to be in St Andrews, I'm a royalist."

Daniel Pycock, 19, from London, said: "I came because I'm a proud royalist. There are not many moments that you're allowed to celebrate and show your national pride and patriotism.

"I have been up all night writing an essay so I just stayed up.

Monarchists challenged a republican demonstration in Edinburgh city centre

"I plan to make a day of it with my friends - the atmosphere at first was lethargic because it was fairly cold but it's now warmed up, the sun is out and everyone is very excited. It's a great day."

After their marriage, the royal couple will be known the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, linking the newly-weds to Perthshire, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus.

Far fewer official street parties have been organised in Scotland than in England, with 16 taking place in Edinburgh, seven in East Lothian and four in the Borders.

There is just one road closure in Glasgow for a street party. And in a number of areas, including North Ayrshire and West Lothian, there have been no official parties registered.

'No feelgood factor'

Shetland and Highland councils have not given their employees the day off.

Highland Council said it would have cost £350,000 to provide cover for frontline employees, such as social workers.

Continue reading the main story Jamie McIvor Local government correspondent, BBC Scotland

The number of official street parties taking place may give a misleading impression that there is a low level of public interest in celebrating the royal wedding.

They only include those street parties which have required council permission.

They take no account of, for instance, celebrations in church halls, pubs, community centres or even large private gardens.

A spokesperson said: "The council has made so many cuts already. We urge our staff to think about their position and how lucky they are to have a job with the council.

"I know people will be disappointed, but the decision was made for the very best of reasons."

However, more than 40 schools in the Highlands, involving more than 4,000 pupils and teachers, will take part in events such as mock weddings, feasts, quizzes, and arts and crafts.

Dundee Trades Union Council (TUC) is holding its annual Mayday march and rally. They said that the royal wedding provided "no feelgood factor" for those facing cuts in jobs, services and benefits.

About 400 were watching the wedding on a big screen in Festival Square in Edinburgh.

A group of about 60 republican demonstrators gathered outside St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile but police would not allow them to march as they had not applied for a licence.

The protesters were challenged by a group of about 20 pro-monarchy demonstrators the wedding and police kept the two sides apart.

'Romantic story'

Glasgow City Council issued a warning for royal party-goers to stay away from Kelvingrove Park after an unofficial "alternative" royal wedding celebration was organised through Facebook and other websites.

More than 10,000 people used the social networking site to say they planned to attend the event and by 1400 BST there were several thousand people there.

Train operator East Coast said there had been a 50% increase in train bookings between Edinburgh and London for the day before the wedding.

Celebrations were taking place across Scotland as the world's attention falls on the wedding

One woman, who was travelling down to London for the day from Scotland, said: "I've grown up with Wills and Harry in the news and now he's got his lucky lady. It's a lovely romantic story as much as anything else."

First Minister Alex Salmond instructed that the Royal Standard of Scotland be flown from St Andrew's House, the headquarters of the Scottish government in Edinburgh.

Mr Salmond, who attended the wedding with his wife Moira, said: "This is a great day of celebration and it is wonderful that the Queen has bestowed the Scottish title of Earl and Countess of Strathearn on the royal couple.

"The Royal Standard of Scotland is flying from St Andrew's House in Edinburgh in honour of this special day.

"I wish the royal couple my warmest wishes for a long and very happy married life together."

Businesses across Scotland were attempting to throw some fun into the proceedings.

John G Renicks butchers in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, made red, white and blue sausages.

While Scottish brewers BrewDog made a "royal virility performance" beer, containing herbal Viagra.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Royal refuseniks

19 April 2011 Last updated at 03:18 GMT By Jon Kelly BBC News Magazine Not every UK subject will be snapping up royal wedding souvenirs The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is hard to escape. So what will royal sceptics do with themselves on 29 April?

The bunting might be hanging, the sandwiches may be sliced, but plenty of Britons don't want to join the party.

Although the UK news media is frantic with anticipation ahead of the royal wedding festivities, a significant minority of the population are less than overwhelmed - either because they oppose the monarchy as an institution, or they simply don't care about the marriage of two strangers.

Opinion polls suggest republicans make up about one-fifth of the UK population, compared with around 70% backing the constitutional status quo.

But this does not mean an overwhelming majority will be assembling trestle tables in their roads to hail the union.

A YouGov survey of 2,000 adults indicated that, while 35% intend to watch the ceremony on television, an equal proportion are determined to ignore it altogether.

With blanket television coverage and thousands of applications to hold street parties submitted, enthusiasts for the event will have plenty of ways to celebrate.

But how can sceptics spend the day?

Throw an alternative street party

Why should only committed royal-watchers get to have fun on their extra bank holiday?

On 29 April, republicans as well as monarchists will fly union flags

Republicans and those put off the official celebrations are planning a series of bashes to register their opposition while enjoying themselves at the same time.

The pressure group Republic, which campaigns for an elected British head of state, is staging a series of outdoor events in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.

Its initial plans for a bash in the capital's Covent Garden area was turned down by Camden council.

Now it hopes to stage the event in nearby Red Lion Square. It will look much like any other street party, says Republic's Graham Smith, with stalls, entertainment and plenty of union flag to counter what he says is the "misconception" that republicans are unpatriotic.

"We want to counter these stereotypes," he says. "What counts is that there's a visible, alternative view. It's going to be positive and fun."

Other alternative wedding parties are being staged on London's South Bank and in Bristol's Trinity centre.

Leave the country

If the blanket television coverage is too much to endure, sceptics and republicans always have the option of getting away from the UK altogether.

Indeed, a survey of 740 people carried out by social networking site CitySocialising suggested that 18% of people planned to leave the country altogether in time for the ceremony.

This exodus from British shores may, of course, be fuelled by a desire to make the most of the long weekend rather than any political sentiment or wedding fatigue.

However, the notion of taking refuge on republican soil is one that was once popular among some of the UK's erstwhile leaders.

In 1981, as the Daily Mail has noted, a group of Labour party activists sailed to Boulogne for a day trip which coincided with the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

They included Peter Mandelson (now Baron Mandelson of Foy in the County of Herefordshire and of Hartlepool in the County of Durham), the future business secretary, Harriet Harman, now Labour's deputy leader, Jack Dromey, Ms Harman's husband and also now an MP, and Alan Haworth, who currently sits in the House of Lords.

Try to ignore it Sceptics can always reach for the "off" button

It might involve staying indoors, unplugging the phone and keeping the television, radio and broadband all switched off.

But there is another way for the unenthusiastic to deal with the wedding - do your best to avoid it altogether.

Read a book, go for a walk in the countryside, listen to music - the options for occupying oneself while the monarchists celebrate are limitless. Unless a street party is underway directly outside your front door.

The children's author Michael Rosen, a staunch republican, says this will be his strategy on 29 April.

"My way of dealing with it is just to carry on," he says.

"I shall keep on doing what I usually do. I will go on reading and working and ticking along around the house.

"I don't have to acknowledge it at all."

Away from the pomp and circumstance, other non-monarchists will try and do the same.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

VIDEO: Media preparations for royal wedding

19 April 2011 Last updated at 03:30 GMT Help

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Osborne House in 'royal' mix up

8 April 2011 Last updated at 12:16 GMT The royal title will not be bestowed on the former palace English Heritage has been told it cannot change the name of Queen Victoria's former palace Osborne House to include a royal title.

The name change to "Royal Osborne" was announced last month and the heritage body said it hoped people would "celebrate this royal association".

But it did not seek permission through the Cabinet Office to add the royal label to the Isle of Wight landmark.

A government spokesman said royal pre-fixes were "very sparingly" granted.

The new title had been expected to come into effect from 1 April. Some literature was already using the "royal" name.

'Confusion or offence'

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: "If any organisation wants to have the royal pre-fix it has to go to the cabinet and a decision is made - it is very sparingly granted."

English Heritage, the government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, claimed it had never been its intention to officially change Osborne House's name.

But last month a statement sent out by the organisation said: "We hope people will be delighted with the new name and will celebrate this royal association."

On Friday an English Heritage spokesman said: "We apologise if in our wish to communicate the importance of Osborne House, we have caused any confusion or offence."

The 342-acre estate, at East Cowes, was bought by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in 1845. It was the couple's main residence with their nine children.

Queen Victoria died at the palace in 1901 after reigning for nearly 64 years.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Canada coins mark royal wedding

6 April 2011 Last updated at 22:38 GMT The mint plans to release more royal coins ahead of the couple's visit to Canada in the summer The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled collectors' coins to mark the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

A 20 Canadian dollar silver coin, which will cost about $105 (US$109; £67), has a sapphire-coloured crystal inlay, to symbolise the bride's engagement ring.

And a 25-cent coin features a colour portrait of the couple.

Mint chief executive Ian Bennett called the wedding later this month "a priceless opportunity to celebrate Canada's pride in royal tradition".

The coins "will give Canadians, royal watchers and collectors everywhere exceptional keepsakes by which to remember this historic event", he said in a statement.

The coins will be sold at Mint shops in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, online, and elsewhere.

The couple are to marry on 29 April and plan to travel to Canada two months later, on their first official overseas trip as a married couple.

They will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the capital, Ottawa.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Rugby star O'Driscoll to go to royal wedding

24 February 2011 Last updated at 09:51 GMT Brian O'Driscoll and his wife Amy Huberman married last year Irish rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll and his actress wife Amy Huberman have been invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Writing on his blog, the former British and Irish Lions skipper said it was an honour to be asked but did not say whether he would attend.

A total of 1,900 guests have been invited to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 29 April.

O'Driscoll is acknowledged as one of the most talented players in the world.

He made his debut for Ireland in 1999 and has scored 42 tries for his country.

He has toured with the British and Irish Lions three times, captaining the side in New Zealand in 2005.

St James's Palace has not officially released the names of invitees to the wedding but more than half are family and friends.

Not all the guests at the service will go on to a Buckingham Palace reception.

O'Driscoll is expected to be one of a number of sports stars attending, with David Beckham and his wife Victoria reported to be among the invited guests.

The 32-year-old Leinster centre married Ms Huberman in a highly publicised wedding last year.

Given his popularity in his native country, some correspondents described the nuptials as Ireland's own version of a Royal wedding.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.